The Secretary General has a largely symbolic role in the United Nations. While he does indeed have some power to control the agenda of the Security Council and General Assembly, the role of the Secretary is mainly to serve as a figurehead and administrator. In addition, the clout that comes with his role means that he can provide leadership and guidance for the UN as a whole. Finally, the Secretary General can also call upon special commissions to look into various matters and issue reports.
The Secretariat has been in the news recently when a change of power took place, as Kofi Annan left office to make way for Ban-Ki Moon. Annan's term as Secretary General had been marked by controversy - he himself had been implicated for corruption in the failed oil-for-food program meant to help the people of Iraq survive under sanctions, and had been held personally accountable for much of the UN's inaction during the Rwandan Genocide. Later, he issued a controversial report declaring that the atrocities in Darfur were not, in fact, genocide, but simply "crimes against humanity". While crimes against humanity are serious, they do not require the immediate intervention of other nations to stop the killing, as would be the case in a Genocide.
Ban-Ki Moon is a Korean and a career diplomat. His tenure has only just started, so he has not yet met with the same criticism as his predecessor. His task will be difficult however, as the United Nations struggles for relevance in the 21st century.
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3 comments:
I pray to God he doesnt end up doing a worse job than Kofi. That would mean millions upon millions of dead insetad of just millions. Kofi was an utterly incompetent moron who sold his soul. How he can face himself every day knowing he had the power to prevent millions of deaths is beyond me. If someoen is ready to slaughter, starve, rape millions of people (Darfur, Rwanda) it is reasonable to assume you can NOT use political discourse with them. Kofi is an absolute moron and should be tried for war crimes. He who remains silent is just as guilt as he who pulls the trigger.
The question is: will Ban-Ki Moon have the courage to speak the truth, or will he be intimidated by the Islamic bloc in the U.N.? Let's keep an eye on him and hope for the best.
Isn't Secretariat a horse?
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